Setting up surround sound system but have a few QUESTIONS

So I currently have a home theatre in a box system and can't get True HD to it because it doesn't have HDMI input. I currently have hdmi going to tv.

If I plug optical from tv to surround sound I can't get dolby or dts.

but if I plug in optical from ps3 to surround sound I can get dolby and dts.

However this results in me changing optical from ps3 to tv everytime I want to watch a movie and back when I'm done (which is annoying as heck)

I'm planning on buying an Onkyo 705 receiver but it isn't compatible with my HIB sub (stupid proprietary JVC connector ARRGHH!)

So.... I'm going to buy a sub, and 7 speakers, however I have several questions before I spend all that money.

1. Which speaker should I spend the most money on. Sub, Center etc....

2. Do they all have to be the same brand?

3. Which has better sound, floor standing, wall mounted, or speakers on stands and any complications with either.

4. What is a pre out? on the back of the receiver

5. how does the whole wattage thing work? I mean, I have a 1000 watt system right now, but I see things saying 30 watts per channel and what not, what is all that about.

6. I've read about problems with cable running inside walls and that you have to but some specially rated cables depending on building codes, please elaborate if possible.

7. Any other advice that you may have for someone getting ready to take the plunge into all this.

PS. Your assistance is GREATLY appreciated. From reading how helpful people are on this site I'm hopeful you guys can help me out as well.

Thanks

Re: Setting up surround sound system but have a few QUESTIONS

Sub, center/mains, then surrounds. The center carries the most dialog, the mains carry the most soundtrack, the sub gives the most impact. The surrounds are the least active. A quality sub will certainly have the biggest difference in a system, but if your tastes run more towards dramas and comedies, you might want to skimp on the sub to put more money elsewhere. If you are an action fan, go with the best sub you can afford.


For the center/mains, not only should they be the same brand, they should be from within the same product line of the same brand. The term for this is "timbre matched" and it is important for natural sounding L->C->R sound pans. It's not as important to timbre match the surrounds, but it helps. There is no reason to match the sub in any way, timbre or brand, because the frequencies produced by the sub are so different.


Not going to answer this one except to say you can get a much better quality sub/satellite combination for the same price as a sub/floorstander combination. The rest is personal preference.


Pre-outs are unamplified line level outputs used to feed a signal to external amplification. Most subwoofers are self-powered with their own on-board amplification, so they would be connected via an RCA terminated cable from the sub pre-out. In addition, some receivers have pre-outs for for all channels in case you wish to use external amplifiers.


Ignore it for now. Wattage is one of the most cited and yet most misstated specs on a receiver. Pick a receiver with the features that you like, then come here and list it along with your speaker type and room size and the HTF will tell you if you need more (or less) receiver for your needs.


Any 14-12 guage in-wall rated speaker wire will do. This can be found at any Home Dept or Lowes.


Keep reading and researching. Then ask questions here. The best advice is do not listen to salesmen; half of them will steer you to products that will give them the most commission and the other half have no clue what they are talking about. Ask here first and remember, if it sounds too expensive to be true, it probably is.

Re: Setting up surround sound system but have a few QUESTIONS

wow,

thanks for the awesome response.